Ranking the 10 worst contracts in NBA history

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TUSCON, AR – MARCH 15: Chris Weber #4 of the Michigan Wolverines takes a fouls shot during a NCAA 2rd round basketball game at the Tuscon Arena on March 15, 1993 in Tuscon, Arizona. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

8. Chris Webber (15 years, $74 million)

Maybe this wasn’t one of the “worst” contracts in NBA history, but maybe it was just one of the most bizarre. Chris Webber was one of the biggest recruits coming off of his sophomore season at the University of Michigan. His college career ended in heartbreaking fashion in the NCAA championship, when he called a timeout that the Wolverines didn’t have. He declared for the NBA draft soon after the crushing defeat and was universally expected to go first overall.

The Orlando Magic drafted Webber first overall but traded him to the Golden State Warriors for Penny Hardaway and three future first-round picks. Remember, before salary caps were instituted, it was a challenge to sign lottery picks. As a result, when the Warriors acquired the rights to Webber, they signed him to an unprecedented 15-year deal.

However, they included a clause that let Webber opt out after a season. Webber threatened to use it, so the Warriors traded him to the Wizards. Although his professional career, albeit still good, never quite lived up to the hype, Webber made far more than $74 million over his 15-year career.

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